What I like about RSS and readers is that the news and updates come to you! It automatically displays the news you from the blogs and websites that you would normally go to check. It saves you time and keeps you up to date, effortlessly.
I can use RSS in my classroom by subscribing to target websites to easily access them to view information about their unit of study, i.e., habitats, the rainforest, ocean animal, uses of magnets, tyoes of rocks, etc. and the types of scientists that each field has. In my personal life, I can readily have at hand the blogs that I want to stay in touch and updated , without having to look for them! just when I read my e-mail.
I think administrators can use readers and take advantage of this new technology by staying up to date with current events at school level and trends in the education system. The Librarians, whom are a great source of information, can provide the teachers with new literature, new research and new technology for the classroom; last, but not least, teachers can blog other teachers or access other school's websites to share teaching ideas and/or share what works in their classrooms.
Shared RSS Items: I have added five subscribtions to my reader account in some of the fields I am interested.
It is engaging to explore all the applications that google has developed to make life easier for us, the educators. There are several applications that I like, but for now, I am begining with these two: 1- I set up a calendar and began inputting all of the tasks that are coming up in my personal and professional life. It sure will keep me more organized this coming school year! 2- I set up a google alert on new Spanish literature for early childhood. Also, I placed an alert on books for my content areas theme units. 3-Google Earth was also out of this world!
Alright!! I created a mosaic of photos using Bighugelabs. After playing with the site for awhile, I learned how connect my facebook to flickr in order to use the pictures from one one my albums there. I also selected some pictures of rainforest animals to make a mosaic. Trade Cards is another good feature that can be used for the same unit. I also liked mappt to create activities for the classroom so that children learn the 50 states in a fun way.
Sweet! I like Flickr ! It is an easy way to find the picture you need for a teaching unit. I am sure I will use the Creative Common site for teachers to find visuals for my social studies and science units and for the vocabulary building bank. I'll definitely share Flickr with my Dual Language team. Visual for science: Pollination
Finally! After creating my new blog, adding an avatar and setting up my outlook, I have registered my blog. It has been a fun learning experience. I like it!
I finally finished creating my avatar. It took me a long time because I wasn't sure if I had to open an account with Yahoo. So I finally opened the account and it was easy after that. I just took my time deciding in an avatar that could reflect who I am and a background to go with, there are so many nice ones to choose from. I finally decided to portray myself at work, where I live most of the time. For my blog, I used one that I had previously created when I took a class but never took the time to use it. Now it has a title for this class and it will have more character after a while. I am still working on getting a skin that I like, therefore, I will play with it until I am satisfied. For now it will serve its purpose.
Thing #2 I have always enjoy reading motivational literature and attending motivational conferences. Years ago, I was fortunate to be trained on Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I really believe in his filosophy and I try to make an effort to put it into practice. In regards to the 7 & 1/2 habits, that is easiest for me is "to begin with the end in mind." When I want to complete a task I make a mental map and stay focus on my final product until I achieve my goal. The hardest for me, now, is to have confidence to be a competent and effective learner of all of this intricate new technology which I haven't had the need to use. I say now, due to the fact that this is the first time "breaking out of the box," no classroom, no teachers, and none of the other conventional school components. However, as the tutorial said: attitude is everything, so...I will, I can and I do believe I am a successful lifelong learner.
